#2: Strumming the Pain

Strumming 47

"Let me drive, Shian. Just rest... I'll wake you up when we're in Manila already."

I heaved a sigh, and decided not to argue with him anymore. Pareho lang kaming makulit, baka hindi pa kami makauwi kapag nagpumilit pa ako. I tossed my car keys to him, letting him drive. Binuksan ko na ang pinto ng passenger seat at pumasok na roon, kaagad akong nag-seatbelt. Sumakay na rin naman si Kirk sa driver's seat at kaagad na pinaandar ang sasakyan.

"I'll wake you up kapag nasa Manila na tayo. Mahaba-haba pa ang biyahe, I know you're tired." he said softly to me while wearing seatbelt.

"You might get bored. I'm fine... I can manage." sagot ko naman at umayos ng upo. "I'm not that tired."

"Let's play some music, then." sabi naman niya sa 'kin habang nakangiti.

At dahil nga nagda-drive siya, ako na ang pumili ng kanta. After I chose a song, I leaned back to my sit— feeling comfortable. The song was fit to the mood we have right now. We were just silent, but it was comfortable.

After namin sa Ferris wheel, we decided na bumalik na ng Manila. It was a fun ride, I enjoyed the view. I took some pictures pa habang nasa taas kami. Sayang nga lang dahil walang fireworks, mas maganda sana kung mayroon. Oh, well, wala naman kaming magagawa kung wala. After all, it was a memory I wanted to keep.

"Should I show you my driving skills?" Kirk asked, his eyes were glued on the road.

I chuckled. "How?"

"Like this..." he answered, then held my hand.

I shook my head, laughing. Natawa rin siya at sumulyap sa 'kin bago hinigpitan ang hawak sa kamay ko. Isang kamay na lang niya ang nasa steering wheel ngayon, ang mga mata niya ay nakatutok na rin ngayon sa daan.

"Kanina ka pa hawak nang hawak sa kamay ko, ha." pansin ko naman sa kanya.

"Ikaw ang humawak sa kamay ko no'ng nasa Ferris wheel tayo, 'no." kaagad na sagot naman niya sa 'kin.

"That's because you were shaking." I answered, rolling my eyes.

"Hmm..." he doesn't sounds convinced.

Pabato ko namang tinanggal ang kamay ko sa pagkakahawak niya kaya sumulyap siya sa 'kin. He chuckled while looking straight at the road. I mentally rolled my eyes when I saw him. Halatang nag-eenjoy siya sa naging reaksyon ko.

"Cute." he muttered, smiling.

"Mag-drive ka na lang nga. Don't hold my hand... It's dangerous." sabi ko sa kanya.

"Yes, mon amour." he playfully answered.

I tried so hard to keep awake the whole ride because he might get bored if I'm sleeping. We talked even about the most random thing in the world. Sometimes, I would also sing along the song. I also asked him to sing, and he did sing without hesitation.